Why do you (still) get sick in February?

Reading time: 7 minutes

You've spent the winter juggling work, germs brought home from school and days that are too short. You slept a bit more, had one more coffee… and in February, here comes another cold. It's no coincidence: several things add up at this time of year. Here's what science says, the role of your gut, and the simple habits that help.

In short

• In February, winter viruses are still circulating, light is scarce and tiredness builds up.
• About 70% of immune cells are found in the gut: what's on your plate matters.
• The basics first: sleep, fibre, daylight, hygiene measures. Vitamin C and vitamin D contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

Why February? Four things that add up

Winter viruses are still circulating

An adult catches an average of two to four colds a year, mostly during the cold season (Heikkinen and Järvinen, 2003). In France, the flu epidemic usually arrives between December and March (Santé publique France). In winter, we also spend more time in closed, poorly ventilated rooms, where viruses pass more easily from person to person.

Light is scarce

Our skin makes vitamin D when exposed to the sun. In winter, at our latitudes, the sun is too low for it to make much (Webb et al., 1988). Yet vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system. To find out more, read our article Vitamins in autumn and winter: the 5 to know.

Sleep falls behind

In one study, volunteers exposed to the cold virus caught it more often when they slept less than 6 hours a night (Prather et al., 2015). After weeks of early mornings and short evenings, February often arrives with a sleep debt.

Winter meals are less varied

Less fresh fruit and veg, more comfort food: in winter, our diet often contains less fibre. Yet this fibre feeds the bacteria in your gut, which play a role in immunity.

Your gut, a player in immunity

About 70% of immune cells are found in the gut wall (Vighi et al., 2008). It makes sense: that's where your body encounters everything you eat every day, along with the germs that come with it.

The microbiota, in numbers

Your gut hosts about 38 trillion bacteria, roughly as many as all the cells in your body. Together they weigh about 200 grams (Sender et al., 2016). This is what we call the gut microbiota.

These bacteria and your immune system are in constant exchange: gut bacteria help set up and train the body's defences (Belkaid and Hand, 2014). To learn all about it, read our guide What are probiotics?

Probiotics: what we know

Probiotics are live micro-organisms that, taken in sufficient amounts, provide a health benefit to the person consuming them: that's the definition adopted by scientists (Hill et al., 2014). The most studied belong to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium families. Their effect depends on the strain, the dose and the person: one probiotic is not the same as another.

Getting through the stomach

To reach the gut, bacteria first have to get through the very acidic stomach. A large share of swallowed bacteria can be destroyed there: their survival depends on the strain and what protects them (Bezkorovainy, 2001).

That's why the 4 strains in the Vitamoon Probiotic are microencapsulated: the bacteria are coated with a thin protective layer designed to help them get through stomach acid. They are then suspended in a lemon-flavoured liquid, taken as a 15 ml serving. Our certificate of analysis shows 11.6 billion CFU per serving (colony-forming units, i.e. live bacteria), against the 10 billion stated.

The Vitamoon Probiotic at a glance

Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Habits that help in February

Put fibre on your plate

Probiotics provide bacteria; prebiotics feed them. They're mainly fibres our body doesn't digest, but our bacteria digest for us (Gibson et al., 2017). To benefit, favour:

• Inulin: found in leeks, onions, garlic, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes and chicory.
• Pulses and whole grains: lentils, chickpeas, oats, wholemeal bread.
• Polyphenols: dark chocolate (at least 70%), green tea and red berries contain them. Some of these molecules are transformed by gut bacteria.
• Short-chain fatty acids: when digesting fibre, your bacteria produce butyrate, the main energy source for the cells lining the colon (Roediger, 1980).

Protect your sleep

Regular hours, a cool bedroom and screens off a little before bed: sleep remains one of the simplest winter basics.

Get out into daylight

A lunchtime walk, even on a grey day, lets you make the most of natural light when the days are short.

Keep up hygiene measures

Wash your hands often, air your home for a few minutes every day, even in winter, and wear a mask when you have a cold around vulnerable people.

Take your probiotic at the right time

One 15 ml serving a day, as a shot or in a large glass of cool water or light fruit juice. Recommended time: in the morning on an empty stomach or 30 minutes before a meal. Once opened, keep the bottle in the fridge and finish it within 2 months.

What our customers say

“I take it every morning at breakfast, using the measuring cap provided, 15 ml per serving.”
Riet Eric, Liquid Probiotic, review published on our Amazon store

“If you don't like or can't swallow pills, this product is ideal for taking probiotics.”
Lespetitsdétailsdejess, Liquid Probiotic, review published on our Amazon store

“I love it, really tasty and very easy to take.”
Nathalie Keijzer, Liquid Probiotic, review published on vitamoon.fr

Frequently asked questions

How long before you notice a difference?

The first effects on digestive comfort, a lighter stomach, more regular transit, less bloating, are generally felt within the first 7 to 10 days. The deeper restructuring of the gut flora settles in gradually over the whole one-month course.

Can my stomach bloat at the start of the course?

Some people experience a little gas or mild bloating in the first few days, while the gut gets used to it. If the discomfort lasts or worries you, stop the course and ask a healthcare professional for advice.

Can it be taken with a collagen?

Yes. The Probiotic is preferably taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Your Collagen Choco Latte or Matcha Latte can be taken at another time, for example at breakfast or after exercise. We know of no incompatibility between the two.

Can it be added to a hot drink?

No. Take it as a shot, or in a glass of cool water or light fruit juice. Probiotics are live bacteria, and for vitamin C, it's best not to boil it.

Can it be taken during antibiotic treatment?

Wait until the end of the treatment: antibiotics act on all bacteria, including those in the probiotic. You can start your course afterwards.

Who should ask a doctor before starting a course?

If you're on medical treatment, immunocompromised or have a chronic bowel disease, ask a healthcare professional for advice before starting. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, ask your doctor first. If you have a high fever, or symptoms that persist or worsen, see a doctor. And one 15 ml serving a day is enough: do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

Should it be kept in the fridge?

Yes, once opened. Keep the bottle cool and finish it within 2 months.

In summary

• In February, viruses, lack of light and tiredness add up: falling ill again at this time of year is no surprise.
• Your gut plays a role in immunity: feed its bacteria with a variety of fibres.
• Sleep, daylight and hygiene measures remain the basics. Vitamin C and vitamin D contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

Discover the Liquid Probiotic →

Further reading

• What are probiotics? Definition, sources and how to choose them
• Tiredness and bloating: the role of the gut and habits that help
• Vitamins in autumn and winter: the 5 to know
• Probiotics and immunity in autumn: what you need to know

Sources

• Heikkinen T., Järvinen A. (2003). The common cold. The Lancet, 361(9351), 51-59.
• Santé publique France. Influenza: epidemiological surveillance and seasonal reports.
• Webb A.R., Kline L., Holick M.F. (1988). Influence of season and latitude on the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 67(2), 373-378.
• Prather A.A. et al. (2015). Behaviorally assessed sleep and susceptibility to the common cold. Sleep, 38(9), 1353-1359.
• Vighi G. et al. (2008). Allergy and the gastrointestinal system. Clinical & Experimental Immunology, 153(Suppl 1), 3-6.
• Sender R., Fuchs S., Milo R. (2016). Revised estimates for the number of human and bacteria cells in the body. PLoS Biology, 14(8), e1002533.
• Belkaid Y., Hand T.W. (2014). Role of the microbiota in immunity and inflammation. Cell, 157(1), 121-141.
• Hill C. et al. (2014). The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 11(8), 506-514.
• Bezkorovainy A. (2001). Probiotics: determinants of survival and growth in the gut. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 73(2 Suppl), 399S-405S.
• Gibson G.R. et al. (2017). The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 14(8), 491-502.
• Roediger W.E. (1980). Role of anaerobic bacteria in the metabolic welfare of the colonic mucosa in man. Gut, 21(9), 793-798.
• Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims.